Phil Ponder has the appearance of an intimidating man. With a large muscular physique, tattoos running the length of his arm and a goatee down to his chest, most people wouldn’t guess that Ponder answers to a 3-week-old kitten named Crackle. And a twenty-pound dog named Baby. And chickens. And any other creatures who are dropped off at the Eldon Animal Control Center where Ponder is the compassionate manager. Besides the usual cleaning and feeding that go along with a job like that, Ponder’s love for animals surfaces as he spends his days navigating the fact that the dogs and cats he keeps have minds of their own.